Heat exchanger tank

ABSTRACT

A tank for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The tank may comprise: an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel; a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition, wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle. More particularly, the heat exchanger may include an inlet and/or outlet tank that directs fluid flow to and/or from a core of the heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND

Heat exchangers can be used to cool or heat associated components within a vehicle. For example, radiators cool engine fluid (e.g., coolant), and condensers cool fluid of a heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. In some heat exchangers, a tank may receive and direct the fluid into a core having tubes and fins that perform heat exchange. The tank may have a shape and/or features which make its manufacturing more complex.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a first tank for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The first tank may comprise: an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel; a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition, wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body, wherein at least some of the plurality of ribs extend over the outer surface extending from the first transition portion to the second transition portion.

According to another embodiment, a heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger may comprise: a tank, comprising: an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel; a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition, wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body, wherein at least some of the plurality of ribs extend over the outer surface extending from the first transition portion to the second transition portion, wherein the first transition portion is oriented relative to the first wall at an angle of inclination defined by a position of the first transition portion relative to a transverse axis of the tank, wherein the angle of inclination is defined by a height of the first foot portion and the first transition portion, a transverse spacing of the channel, and a transverse spacing of the first foot portion and the second foot portion; and a core comprising a plurality of passages and a header plate, wherein the header plate comprises a first plurality of openings to the plurality of passages and a trough that retains the foot, wherein a cavity defined by the channel is in fluid communication with the plurality of passages via the header plate.

According to another embodiment, a first tank for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The first tank may comprise: an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel; a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition, wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body, wherein the first transition portion is oriented relative to the first wall at an angle of inclination defined by a position of the first transition portion relative to a transverse axis of the tank, wherein the angle of inclination is defined by a height of the first foot portion and the first transition portion, a transverse spacing of the channel, and a transverse spacing of the first foot portion and the second foot portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger comprising a core, a first tank (an inlet tank), and a second tank (an outlet tank).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the first tank, wherein a number of features are hidden for clarity.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along section lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along section lines 5-5 of FIG. 2, also illustrating a portion of the core and a portion of a header plate coupled to the first tank, wherein the header plate is located between the core and the first tank.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is the sectional view of FIG. 4, also illustrating a portion of the core and the header plate.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the first tank shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mold for manufacturing the first or second tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Turning now to the figures, a heat exchanger 10 is shown, wherein throughout the figures like reference numerals indicate like or similar features or functions. According to at least one embodiment, heat exchanger 10 may comprise a core 12 that cools a fluid (e.g., such as from an automotive engine or the like), an inlet (first) tank 14 configured to direct heated fluid into the core 12, and an outlet (second) tank 16 configured to receive fluid cooled by the core 12 (e.g., and direct it toward the automotive engine again). As discussed more below, the inlet tank 14 and/or outlet tank 16 may be suitable for maintaining a threshold fluid pressure within the tank (14 or 16), may have a shape and size suitable for spatial constraints within an automotive environment, and may be manufactured using a two-piece mold thereby simplifying the manufacturing procedure and reducing manufacturing costs.

Further, while the description that follows discusses the heat exchanger 10 functioning as a radiator, this is not required. For example, heat exchanger 10 could function as a condenser (e.g., as part of a HVAC system) or any other heat exchanging device instead.

Core 12 may comprise a frame 18, a plurality of passages 30, a plurality of fins 32, a header plate 34 at one end 36 of core 12, and a footer plate 38 at another, opposite end 40 of core 12. Frame 18 may be any suitable support and may retain the passages 30 and fins 32 in an assembly. Embodiments may exist wherein frame 18 is omitted (e.g., frame 18 is optional). For example, the passages 30 may be welded or otherwise fixed to one another in a structure that does not require a frame 18.

Passages 30 may be arranged in a coiled pattern that maximizes lengths of the respective passages 30 and/or optimizes air flow therethrough. This is merely an example; other suitable arrangements may be used instead. The passages 30 may have an inlet side 42 (e.g., for receiving heated fluid) and an outlet side 44 (e.g., for delivering fluid with a reduced temperature). In FIG. 1, the passages 30 are shown in a cross-flow pattern. A cross-flow pattern may refer to a horizontal orientation of the passages 30 and fluid—e.g., laterally from left-to-right or right-to-left (e.g., as opposed to a vertical orientation—e.g., fluid flow being top to bottom). Thus, while a so-called cross-flow heat exchanger (10) is shown in FIG. 1, other embodiments including vertical orientations may be used instead. Passage 30 may comprise any metal having suitable thermal conductivity (e.g., such as aluminum or other suitable material).

One or more fins 32 may be coupled to each of the passages 30 (e.g., typically multiple fins 32 along a length of each passage 30; an example of fins 32 is shown in FIG. 5). The fins 32 may provide additional surface area by which heat may be directed away from the passages 30 thereby enhancing heat dissipation during use of the heat exchanger 10. The fins 32 also may have any suitable arrangement. Fins 32 may comprise any metal having suitable thermal conductivity (e.g., such as aluminum or other suitable material).

As discussed above, header plate 34 may be located at end 36. By way of example in FIG. 1, end 36 is a lateral end, but as discussed above, this is not required. Header plate 34 may comprise a generally rectangularly-shaped base 46 (FIGS. 5, 7) and a circumferential trough 48 (FIG. 7). A width of base 46 may correspond with a width of core 12, and a length of the base 46 may correspond with a length of the inlet tank 14. Base 46 may comprise a plurality of openings 50 in a ladder-like arrangement. According to the non-limiting illustrated example shown in FIG. 5, the base 46 may comprise a plurality of grooves 52 intersticed between the openings 50, and passages 30 of the inlet side 42 coincide with the openings 50 so that the inlet tank 14, header plate 34, and passages 30 may function as a manifold. Header plate 34 may comprise any suitable metal (e.g., such as aluminum, etc.) and may be brazed or otherwise fixed to passages 30 and to core 12—e.g., sealably fixed in a manner to withstand high temperature and high pressure typical of automotive applications.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, circumferential trough 48 may adjoin (and extend outwardly from) the circumferential edges of base 46. Trough 48 may comprise a first (longitudinal) trough portion 54 (along the length of the inlet tank 14), an end trough portion 56 (at an end 58 of the inlet tank 14; in FIG. 7, a second (longitudinal) trough portion 60 (along the length of the inlet tank 14), and an end trough portion 62 (at an end 64 of inlet tank 14; in FIG. 1, at a top of the heat exchanger 10 and opposite end trough portion 56). A cross-section of any of troughs portions 54, 56, 60, 62 may be identical or similar (e.g., some may be mirror images of the other); therefore, only one will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 7, trough portion 60 may comprise a flange 66 extending radially outwardly from base 46 (+y-axis direction), a first leg 68 extending from the flange 66 and away from base 46 in an axial direction (e.g., −z axis direction) to a bottom 70. The bottom 70 may extend radially outwardly from the first leg 68 and may define any suitable curvature. A second leg 72 may extend from the bottom 70 in a direction opposite the first leg 68 (e.g., +z-axis direction), wherein the first and second legs 68, 72 are spaced from one another. An end region of the second leg 72 may comprise a retaining flange 76 which, as described more below, may be deformed (e.g., crimped) toward the base 46 to retain the inlet tank 14 to the core 12.

According to at least one embodiment, footer plate 38 may be identical to, a mirror-image of, or otherwise similar to header plate 34, except that it is located at opposite end 40 of core 12 and similarly coupled to passages 30—e.g., except at the outlet side 44 thereof. Accordingly, the outlet tank 16, footer plate 38, and passages 30 may function as another manifold on the outlet side 44.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8, inlet tank 14 may comprise an elongated and axially extending body 80, a transition 82, and a foot 84. The body 80 may comprise a first (side) wall 86, a second (side) wall 88, and a third wall 90 (between the first and second walls 86, 88), wherein the walls 86-90 define a U-shaped channel 92 enclosed by a fourth (end) wall 94, and a fifth (end) wall 96, wherein distal ends 100, 102, 104, 106 of respective first, second, fourth, and fifth walls 86, 88, 94, 96 define a peripheral opening 110 to a cavity 111 on an open side of the body 80. The first, second, and third walls 86-90 axially may extend along an x-axis, and the fourth and fifth walls 94, 96 may be spaced from one another relative to the x-axis. In at least one example, the first and second walls 86, 88 are parallel to one another being spaced from one another relative to a y-axis. And the third wall 90 and peripheral opening 110 may be spaced from one another relative to a z-axis. Herein, a U-shaped channel (e.g., which is defined by the first, second, and third walls 86-90) should be construed broadly—e.g., it may refer to a channel defined by a curved or a plurality of angles arranged in a U-shape. FIG. 4 illustrates that U-shaped channel 92 may have dimensions Channel_(W) (defining a spacing between the first and second walls 86, 88) and Channel_(H) (defining a spacing between the third wall 90 and foot 84). The cavity 111 defined by these dimensions may be in fluid communication with the passages 30 (when the inlet tank 14 is assembled to the core 12). According to an example, a first, second, and third walls 86-90 have a common, uniform thickness.

Body 80 may comprise a plurality of ribs 112 extending from an exterior surface 114 of the body 80 and providing structural support thereto—e.g., in order to maintain structural integrity when a fluid in the channel 92 is pressurized. According to an example, each of the ribs 112 may be similar; therefore, only one will be described. Rib 112 may comprise an elongated protrusion extending across the first, second, and third walls 86-90 and radially outwardly from exterior surface 114. More particularly, beginning at the transition 82 (nearest the first wall 86), rib 112 may extend transversely along the z-axis in a +z-axis direction across first wall 86. Rib 112 may continue to extend transversely across third wall 90 (e.g., along the y-axis). And rib 112 may continue to extend transversely across second wall 88 (along the z-axis in a −z-axis direction) to the transition 82 (nearest second wall 88). As shown in FIG. 3, ribs 112 may have a width Rib_(W), and may be spaced from one another according to any suitable spacing Rib_(SPACE). According to an example, width Rib_(W) may be approximately 60% of a thickness of the first, second, or third walls 86-90. And according to an example, Rib_(SPACE) may be three times (3 x) the thickness of the first, second, or third walls 86-90. And according to an example, a height of rib 112 (i.e., how far radially outwardly the rib 112 extends from exterior surface 114) may be approximately two-and-one-half times (2.5 x) the thickness of the first, second, or third walls 86-90. Any of these examples may be used in combination with one another.

In some examples, the body 80 may comprise inwardly extending ribs (not shown). However, in at least one example, the U-shaped channel 92 may be a smooth surface (e.g., no internal ribs) thereby minimizing fluid turbulence during use.

Turning now to transition 82, as shown best in FIGS. 4, 6, and 8, the transition 82 may extend at least partially circumferentially about distal ends 100, 102, 104, 106 of walls 86, 88, 94, 96 and may couple the foot 84 to the body 80. In the illustrations, the transition 82 may comprise a transition portion 82 a and a transition portion 82 b referring to the transition 82 extending from distal ends 100, 102, respectively. E.g., transition 82 may not extend circumferentially about each of distal ends 100, 102, 104, 106. However, in other examples, it could extend from each of distal ends 100, 102, 104, 106 (e.g., in a circumferential arrangement). As transition portion 82 a may mirror transition portion 82 b, only one will be described.

A proximal end 118 of transition portion 82 a may be coupled to distal end 100 of first wall 86, and a distal end 120 of transition portion 82 a may be coupled to the foot 84. Transition portion 82 a may extend radially outwardly of first wall 86 (and body 80) (e.g., relative to they-axis)—e.g., extending outwardly from end 118 to end 120. As transition portion 82 a may extend a length of body 80; accordingly, it may extend relative the x-axis. According to at least one example, the transition portion 82 a may have a predetermined angle of inclination (a)—e.g., defining an angle between transition portion 82 a relative to the y-axis (discussed more below). In at least one example, transition portion 82 a defines a radially-outwardly extending, uniform spacing Trans_(SPACING) from the exterior surface 114 of the first wall 86 to the foot 84 (relative to the z-axis). E.g., the spacing Trans_(SPACING) may be defined by a lateral distance between an outwardly-facing angle 122 (where body 80 (and first wall 86) adjoins transition portion 82 a) and an outwardly-facing angle 124 (where transition portion 82 a adjoins foot 84). In at least one example, a height of rib 112 also may be the same as spacing Trans_(SPACING), as shown in FIG. 6.

While the transition portion 82 a is shown as a straight portion between ends 118, 120, this is not required. E.g., in other examples, transition portions 82 a, 82 b may comprise one or more curves, bends, or the like.

As shown best in FIGS. 6-7, foot 84 may extend circumferentially about the inlet tank 14, comprising a (first) foot portion 130 coupled to distal end 120 of the transition portion 82 a, an (end) foot portion 132 coupled to fourth (end) wall 94 (abutting thereto), a (second) foot portion 134 coupled to distal end 120 of the transition portion 82 b, and an (end) foot portion 136 coupled to fifth end wall 96 (abutting thereto). And as shown in FIG. 6, foot 84 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. E.g., foot 84 may comprise a first laterally-extending surface 140, an outboard surface 142, a second laterally-extending surface 144, and an inboard surface 146—and collectively, the surfaces 130-136 may define at least partially the cross-sectional shape. In at least the illustrated example, the first laterally-extending surface 130 and inboard surface 146 are adjacent to distal ends 120 of transition portions 82 a, 82 b. The spacing between the inboard and outboard surfaces may be sized to fit the foot 84 within trough 48. A rectangular shape is merely an example; e.g., other shapes can be used instead.

According to an example, the angle of inclination a may be 30 to 50 degrees. According to at least one example, the angle of inclination has a predefined relationship with a height h (measured from second laterally-extending surface 144 of foot 84 to outwardly-facing angle 122), a transverse spacing d of the U-shaped channel 92 of body 80 of inlet tank 14, and a transverse spacing D of the foot 84 of inlet tank 14 (e.g., from outboard surface 142 on one side of the inlet tank 14 to outboard surface 142 on the other side). See e.g., FIG. 6 and Equation (1). As inlet tank 14 is adapted to fit predefined dimensions of core 12, the transverse spacing D is typically fixed. In some instances, the height h may be fixed—e.g., constrained by spacing requirements. Thus, angle of inclination a and transverse spacing d may be variable. Designing inlet tank 14 in accordance with Equation (1) may enable the inlet tank 14 to deliver sufficient pressurized fluid to the core 12 while maintaining sufficient structural integrity at the inlet tank 14.

$\begin{matrix} {{\tan\mspace{14mu}\alpha} = {\frac{2h}{D - d}.}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu}(1)} \end{matrix}$

Inlet tank 14 may comprise any suitable metal, plastic, or the like. According to at least one example, the body 80, the transition 82, and the foot 84 of inlet tank 14 may comprise a single-piece construction of a common material—e.g., a plant-derived resin, a plastic such as polyamide (e.g., non-limiting examples include PA66GF25 or PA66GF30), or the like. Additionally, inlet tank 14 may be formed by an injection molding process. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mold 150 for manufacturing the inlet tank 14. The mold 150 may comprise only an upper half 152 and a lower half 154. In this manner, the mold 150 may form the body 80, the transition 82, and the foot 84 in a single cast of uniform material.

Inlet tank 14 may have one or more other features as well. For example, it may have an inlet port 160 spaced between ends 58, 64 of the inlet tank 14 (for receiving fluid into the channel 92 (and into cavity 111)), a drain 162 near end 58 (for draining fluid from the inlet tank 14—e.g., for servicing the inlet tank 14 or core 12), and various other mounting features 164 (a few are indicated in FIG. 1). Some of these features may be soldered or otherwise fixed to body 80 after the mold process. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, in some examples, the inlet tank 14 may have a varying height (e.g., measured from foot 84 to third wall 90). Thus, this height may be uniform or may vary as shown.

Outlet tank 16—shown in FIG. 1—may be similar or identical to inlet tank 14. Therefore, outlet tank 16 will not be described in detail. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, outlet tank 16 may have an outlet port 170 and one or more mounting features 164′ (again, a few are indicated). It should be appreciated that other examples of the footer plate 38 and/or outlet tank 16 are contemplated herein.

During assembly of the heat exchanger 10, the foot 84 of inlet tank 14 may be located within trough 48 of the header plate 34 along with an optional gasket 172 (e.g., see FIG. 7), and the retaining flange 76 which may be aligned with second leg 72 (also shown in phantom in an unfolded position) may be deformed (by it bending radially inwardly) using a pair of rollers that move axially with respect to the inlet tank 14 (e.g., along the x-axis)—e.g., crimping the retaining flange 76 against the respective first laterally-extending surfaces 140 (of foot portions 130, 134) (e.g., abutting the flange 76 to the first laterally-extending surfaces 140 in a folded position). The body 80 (e.g., comprising ribs 112), the transition 82, and the foot 84 are configured in a manner to not interfere with the rollers—e.g., namely, the spacing Trans_(SPACING) may enable the rollers to move along the foot 84 without interference with the body 80 (and/or the transition 82). Further, the ribs 112, which may be adjacent the foot 84, are spaced so that they too may avoid interference with the rollers. A similar assembly process may be used to couple the outlet tank 16 to the footer plate 38 of core 12. Additionally, one or more hoses (not shown) may be coupled to the inlet port 160 and the outlet port 170.

In use, heated fluid may flow into the inlet tank 14 via inlet port 160 and be directed through the cavity 111 and into the passages 30. There, via the passages 30 and fins 32, the fluid may be cooled. Afterwards, the fluid may exit the passages 30 into the outlet tank 16 and ultimately leave the outlet tank 16 via outlet port 170. During use, each of the inlet and outlet tanks 14, 16 may have a respective, suitable volume and structural integrity to facilitate pressure within an automotive application (e.g., as a radiator) (e.g., according to vehicle manufacturer requirements), while still fitting within spatial constraints (e.g., according to vehicle manufacturer requirements). Further, as described above, the inlet and outlet tanks 14, 16 may be manufactured in a more cost effective manner (e.g., in two-piece mold 150)—e.g., avoiding undercut areas which require mold side action reduces cost. Side-action may refer to a more complex molding process that facilitates undercutting a geometry of a molded object (e.g., as opposed to a straight-pull molding process, wherein a first side of a mold and a second side of the mold are opened, and the completed molded object may be removed by pulling it straight out of either the first or second side).

Thus, there has been described a heat exchanger comprising a core and a tank, wherein the tank can be manufactured using a two-piece mold. The tank may comprise an axially extending body, a transition that may extend axially on either side of the body, and a foot which may extend circumferentially around the body and extend radially outwardly of the transition. The transition may position the foot outboard of the body so that rollers in a manufacturing assembly process may bend a flange of the core over the foot and thereby retain it in a manner that avoids separation of the tank from the core during use. In at least one example, the heat exchanger is a cross-flow type, and an inlet tank is mounted to one side of the core and an outlet tank is mounted to the opposite side of the core.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A first tank for a heat exchanger, comprising: an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel; a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition, wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body, wherein at least some of the plurality of ribs extend over the outer surface extending from the first transition portion to the second transition portion.
 2. A heat exchanger, comprising: the first tank of claim 1; and a core comprising a plurality of passages and a header plate, wherein the header plate comprises a first plurality of openings to the plurality of passages and a trough that retains the foot, wherein a cavity defined by the channel is in fluid communication with the plurality of passages via the header plate.
 3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the trough comprises a flange in a folded position abutting the first and second foot portions to retain the first and second foot portions therein.
 4. The heat exchanger of claim 2, further comprising a second tank comprising another cavity; and a footer plate comprising a second plurality of openings at an end of the core opposite the header plate that also correspond to the plurality of passages, wherein the another cavity of the second tank is in fluid communication with the cavity of the first tank via the plurality of passages.
 5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein the first tank is an inlet tank, wherein the second tank is an outlet tank.
 6. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein the first and second tanks comprise a plastic and the core comprises a metal.
 7. The first tank of claim 1, wherein the channel defined by the first, second, and third walls is a smooth surface.
 8. The first tank of claim 1, wherein the first transition portion extends in a first direction radially outwardly of the body and defines a first spacing between the first wall and the first foot portion, wherein the second transition portion extends in a second direction radially outwardly of the body and defines a second spacing between the second wall and the second foot portion.
 9. The first tank of claim 8, wherein the first and second spacings are the same.
 10. The first tank of claim 8, wherein the at least some of the plurality of ribs extend from a first outwardly-facing angle defined by the first wall adjoining the first transition portion and from a second outwardly-facing angle defined by the first transition portion adjoining the first foot portion.
 11. The first tank of claim 8, wherein the at least some of the plurality of ribs extend radially outwardly of the body according to the first and second spacings.
 12. The first tank of claim 1, wherein the first transition portion is oriented relative to the first wall at an angle of inclination defined by a position of the first transition portion relative to a transverse axis of the first tank, wherein the angle of inclination is defined by a height of the first foot portion and the first transition portion, a transverse spacing of the channel, and a transverse spacing of the first foot portion and the second foot portion.
 13. The first tank of claim 1, further comprising an intake portion for receiving fluid into the channel.
 14. A heat exchanger, comprising: a tank, comprising: an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel; a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition, wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body, wherein at least some of the plurality of ribs extend over the outer surface extending from the first transition portion to the second transition portion, wherein the first transition portion is oriented relative to the first wall at an angle of inclination defined by a position of the first transition portion relative to a transverse axis of the tank, wherein the angle of inclination is defined by a height of the first foot portion and the first transition portion, a transverse spacing of the channel, and a transverse spacing of the first foot portion and the second foot portion; and a core comprising a plurality of passages and a header plate, wherein the header plate comprises a first plurality of openings to the plurality of passages and a trough that retains the foot, wherein a cavity defined by the channel is in fluid communication with the plurality of passages via the header plate.
 15. A first tank for a heat exchanger, comprising: an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel; a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition, wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body, wherein the first transition portion is oriented relative to the first wall at an angle of inclination defined by a position of the first transition portion relative to a transverse axis of the first tank, wherein the angle of inclination is defined by a height of the first foot portion and the first transition portion, a transverse spacing of the channel, and a transverse spacing of the first foot portion and the second foot portion.
 16. A heat exchanger, comprising: the first tank of claim 15; and a core comprising a plurality of passages and a header plate, wherein the header plate comprises a first plurality of openings to the plurality of passages and a trough that retains the foot, wherein a cavity defined by the channel is in fluid communication with the plurality of passages via the header plate, wherein the trough comprises a flange in a folded position abutting the first and second foot portions to retain the first and second foot portions therein.
 17. The heat exchanger of claim 16, further comprising a second tank comprising another cavity; and a footer plate comprising a second plurality of openings at an end of the core opposite the header plate that also correspond to the plurality of passages, wherein the another cavity of the second tank is in fluid communication with the cavity of the first tank via the plurality of passages.
 18. The heat exchanger of claim 17, wherein the first tank is an inlet tank, wherein the second tank is an outlet tank.
 19. The first tank of claim 15, wherein the first transition portion extends in a first direction radially outwardly of the body and defines a first spacing between the first wall and the first foot portion, wherein the second transition portion extends in a second direction radially outwardly of the body and defines a second spacing between the second wall and the second foot portion, wherein the first and second spacings are the same.
 20. The first tank of claim 15, wherein at least some of the plurality of ribs extend from a first outwardly-facing angle defined by the first wall adjoining the first transition portion and from a second outwardly-facing angle defined by the first transition portion adjoining the first foot portion. 